The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-01-12
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Thomas ]. CluveriuH, the Condemned Murderer
of Fannie Lillian Madison,
Absorbed in Fastidious Literary Work as the
Time of His Execution ApprOaches-
Offers From Publishers.

RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 9.-Thomas j. Clu-
verius, the condemned murderer OF Cousin
Fannie Lillian Madison, is the most interest
ing criminal, from a psychological stand
point that Virginia has ever seen. From
the harmless smiling Moses" as he was
known at,college, he developed into motion
less. iron-nerYed man after be was accused of
the murder, and now that he is condemned to
death, and will die on the gallows in few
days, he has TO all appearance forgotten his
fate in absorbing literary work. A student
OF human nature would find wide field for
speculation in this criminal, who can forget
the gibbet in turning sentence, and give
his mind to choosing appropriate adjectives
when a rope bangles above his head.
Last Monday CluYerius began writing an
account of his life, assisted by a minister
friend, and nearly all Of working hours have
been given to the work. All at once he has
developed the literary enthusiasm OF vsrv
young writer whose rosy future has not yet
been marred by rejected manuscript and
financial troubles. He throws his whole
soul into the task. He does not write his
life for the purpose of gaining wider noto-
riety, for it is not to be published until after
his death, but because pen-Vork has fasci-
nation for him. He rises as early as the
prison rale allows and sets to work long be-
fore breakfast. He becomes so absorbed
that he does not notice the guard coming in
or going out of his cell. When his meager
meal is brought in he generally complains of
the interruption, and alter swallowing few
mouthsful his attention is again concentrated
on his manuscript
comes in, and during the next two or three
hours the two are engaged in reading over
the manuscript, revising, making additions
and consulting on the progress Of the work.
In a conversation yesterday the minister said
to the writer: "Cluverius is as fastid1ous
about his work as young graduate is about
his commencement speech. de rewrlte2
every page, and frequently makes a third or
fourth copy. Indeed, he is as careful as il
he was writing book which he hoped would
bring him fame and fortune. Occasionally
he has spells of despair when his sentences
will not round and his style become smooth.
Whenever be writes anything which he
thinks particularly good he points it out
with great self-satisfaction.
1T is happy thing for the young man
that he has taken to this task, for it saves
him from brooding on the approaching exc
cution. You might think that this describ-
ing his trial and conviction would have the
effect of recalling his fate and disturbing his
mind, but it is not so. He writes or y all
as an outsider, and does not apparently
! identify himself with the Cluverius who is
| to die on January Is. IA fact, he seems to
work under the impression that he is writing
/ piece of fiction in the first person, and that
/ all6T II is WIltleQ ne Will nave no luItu6I
| concern with the hero. When the work Is
published it will undoubtedly have large
sale. 1t is written so far with considerable
/ power of expression. and the narrative is
| deeply interesting. Cluverius has not yet
| indicated his intentions in regard to the
| proceeds, but 1 think they will go to his
aunt, Mrs Tunstall, who has spent her litne
! fortune in employing counsel for him. You
would be surprised at the number of offers
| be has received from publishers.
'"Tbe proprietor OF the New York Weekly
/ Story Paper made Aim an offer of S1.O09 for
| the manuscript, and Washington firm Of
fered a large royalty. Cluverius has taken
! no notice of the offers. He is so taken up
with his literary post of venture that he can
/ not give any attention to business details.
I The book will not be q confession, IS
many suppose Cluverius defends himself
] throughout, and viii assert his innocence to
/ the last, think. He has little hope that
! the Legislature viii do anything for him,
and only wants to finish his work before the
| hour of execution arrives